 I spent my entire life trapped in my own disabled body (thinking I had Spastic Diplegia), unable to do simple everyday tasks that others took for granted, only to find out that I had been misdiagnosed. At the age of 33, I was given a whole new life! As a result of my new treatment for Dopa Responsive Dystonia (DRD), everyday I was doing something new and exciting. Not adventures thriliing to most, but certainly to me. I had never put a frozen pizza into the oven, driven my kids to their activities and hadn’t showered independently in years! Yet, these were my adventrues on my new medication of L-Dopa! And all I could think was, if I went misdiagnosed all these years, then surely there are others out there trapped in their spastic body just like I was. I knew that I had to put myself our there in hopes of “rescuing” others.
Yes, I blog about myself. Yes, I share the excitement about completing simple tasks, that most tweens have already mastered. Yes, I talk about my struggles and that this new diagnosis is “not a cure.” And Yes, there are people out there who think that I am only sharing my journey in hopes of being in the public eye. To get another story, simply for the attention or money. I must tell you, I’m not paid for the interviews I give, but yes I want my story picked up in the media. It’s not because I want the attention. It’s because every time my story makes it into a magazine, news paper or news show, I’ get an e-mail from one of their viewers… “I am 42 years old and was just diagnosed with Dopa Responsive Dystonia due to your article in The Mighty.” “At age 37 I have just been started on Sinemet. Your story got me looking into the possibility of no longer fighting to walk. I was first diagnosed with CP around age 12. I am happy to report it feels like a band that has been tied around my legs has been cut.” “Jean! I am weeping tears of joy right now! My cousin was just here….in person….which is saying something as she was nearly completely immobile and left home only when necessary. Our family has had a MIRACLE! “ “We are grateful to you because without your story, my wife would never know the improvement she has so far achieved. “ “One of my doctors was watching cbs when your story aired. She immediately called me saying she thought I was misdiagnosed. I started the medication 3.5 weeks ago & it has helped me greatly.” “I walked in front of my mom and older brother this weekend. My mom was so excited she videotaped it.” “I read your article and I felt as it I was reading about my self…. I have been on it (Sinemet) almost six months now and it is amazing, confusing and emotional. I can walk almost without a limp, I am not tired all the time and my balance is improving. I am going to physical therapy monthly and can’t believe the change (either can my neurologist and P.T.)” And sometimes, my blogging doesn’t assist in a correct diagnosis, but it offers HOPE to those who no longer have any… “My daughter’s biggest fear when she was in that wheelchair was— how could she ever get married? She sobbed crying asking how will I get down the aisle? Will one of my bridesmaids have to push me? Who would want to marry me if I am in a wheelchair? These are such hard questions to have to answer to your own child. Your blog gives people hope when Doctors don’t! Thanks so much for spreading the word on Levodopa and reminding us all to count our blessings. Today you are one of mine.” These are just a few of the reasons why I put myself out there. I find it stressful to be in the media at times, and that plays havoc on my DRD symptoms, but in doing so I have helped 20+ people receive in receiving a correct diagnosis of DRD. When I open up my e-mail and see that someone is walking for the first time, it makes all the added symptoms worth it and I can’t help cry tears of joy. Yes, I understand that some may see my blogging as selfish, but please understand I only do it to help give others the freedom that I now have. And to me that is an amazing gift!
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Wow! How can it be six years already? So much has changed these past few years. I love that I only need to take 3 pills a day, compared to the 15! I love that I've been able to share my story with the world and help others receive a correct diagnosis, like me. And I LOVE that Steve and I were able to have a third child, our beautiful John. So much has changed, yet, the love and support from my family continues to grow. I feel so much warmth in my heart as I reflect on this on such a holy weekend. Good Friday and Easter Sunday will never be the same for me again. I never believed that a new medication would be the answer to my prayers. And I certainly never believed that I would be able to live a life of independence. How lucky am I?! I've had numerous people who have read my memoir reach out to me and say, "I will never look at Easter the same again." On this six year anniversary or should I say birthday, I will continue to give thanks for all that God has given me as well as how much Jesus sacrificed for me...for us. May you feel a closeness to the Lord on this very special weekend. Happy Easter!  I haven't blogged in over two months, simply because I've been listening to my body, which was yelling at me to "SLOW DOWN!" In order to keep my symptoms at bay, I have to get plenty of rest, stay free of illness and keep my stress to a minimum. Well, I was doing fine with staying healthy and getting plenty of rest, but the stress factor was another story. I was stressed about the release of my memoir, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (she's going to be fine) and my husband was part of a big lay off at work. I had far too much on my mind causing severe pain in my muscles (particularly my left shoulder). Having Steve and the girls rub my back, along with using my Thera Cane and stretching was not helping. I've got a really high pain tolerance, but eventually I couldn't take it any longer and had to go to Urgent Care. Ugh, I was NOT happy about that, especially when they decided to run an EKG! Of course all was well, because it was indeed my DRD symptoms telling me to slow down!! So, I temporarily stopped blogging, took more time out of the day to rest, as well as stretch those cranky muscles. Often times, things happen that we cannot control, but how we choose to deal with them is entirely our own decision. And we have to listen to our bodies!! I'm pleased to say that the knots in my back are gone, Steve is expected to receive a job offer in the near future and my mom is nearly done with Chemo! As always, thank you for all your support and love!  As you can all imagine, I am incredibly busy with my memoir, but I have to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone who juggled their schedules around so they could be a part of my book launch party in Andover, MN. To say the evening was a whirlwind for me would be an understatement! What a blessing to have a constant line of family and friends waiting to peek at the book that I have been working on for the past five years. What a wonderful surprise to see the physical therapist who taught me how to roller skate, the English teacher who always had a gentle smile and classmate who helped dress me when my arms failed me one day after junior high swimming lessons.
Later, when Steve and I were able to reflect on the evening, I kept saying, "I can't believe all those people came. It's December. The busiest month of the year!" To which he replied, "This was more than a party to celebrate your book, Jean, it was a celebration of your mobility, something no one ever expected." He was right. It had been over five years since my correct diagnosis, but we'd never formally celebrated it with friends and family. We never took the time as a group to reflect on how far I have come since taking that first miracle pill. So, for everyone who came last night to celebrate with me, I thank you for all your love, support, strength and encouragement you gave me then, and that you still give me today.  If your child took antibiotics for an ear infection and it cleared, would you think they had made up that their ear hurt days earlier? If a friend began taking new medication for migraines, would you question that their migraines were never an issue in the first place? My guess is, no. So, why would someone question an individual who once had limited mobility due to spasticity, who began taking L-dopa and can now walk? This may not have happened to me, but it may as well have. It has triggered a frustration deep inside me that I can’t explain.
Since my story went viral last spring I have received many, many inquires about Dopa Responsive Dystonia (DRD). In fact, nearly two dozen began taking L-Dopa and are seeing significant results! Amazing, right? Even though they are progressing on the new medication, they often ask me questions about my experiences such as how they can gain strength and how to overcame the internal thoughts of can I actually do this? The other day I received an e-mail from one woman explaining that some people, including her doctor, don’t believe that the medication has been helping her as much as it has. Her physician asked her if she wanted to see if she could go with out her l-dopa for awhile “to see what happens.” To say I was floored would be an understatement. I could feel my blood begin to boil, but then she went on tell me more...Her roommate actually hid her new medication for 24 hours, because he thinks she’s making this all up! In the meantime, she was in lots of pain from muscle spasms and became more immobile. I had to take a couple deep breaths, because I can’t help but wonder who are these jokers? And, I’m sure glad none of my friends acted like this! Like me, this woman went three decades dealing with mobility issues and had to use a cane and mobility scooter. So I don’t know about you, but I highly doubt that last month she decided to quit the charade and start walking independently. As I write this, I can feel the stress build in my chest for the woman who is going through this. I want to say Go find a new doctor and make new friends! Luckily, she is getting a new roommate! Thank Goodness! I felt like I had to share this for a couple reasons. One: to encourage people not to judge others for what they are going through. If you think that this is “all in their head” please do your homework to understand the situation better, and keep the thought to yourself because the journey is hard enough without comments from doubters. And two: to tell my friends thank you for being so understanding during all of my medical adventures! You are the BEST!!! |
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